Latest Current Affairs For Friday 15th October, 2021

Dept of Post launches digital version of Postal Life Insurance policy bonds

Department of Posts has launched digital version of the Postal Life Insurance policy bonds, termed as ‘ePLI bond’, on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

ePLI bond is first the digital integration of Postal Department with Digilocker that will greatly facilitate citizens, providing ease of access and quick claim settlements.

It is made available in collaboration with DIGILOCKER, National eGovernance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY). ​​

NHAI sings MoU with TIDCO for development of MMLP in Chennai

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signs MoU with Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) for development of a Multimodal Logistics Park (MMLP) at VOC Port in Chennai.

It will be developed through Public Private Partnership, providing land and connectivity and the actual MMLP infrastructure to be developed by a private developer.

All the three stake holders viz, Chennai Port Authority, TIDCO and NHAI will be equity partners in the proposed SVP.

ADB raises 2019–2030 Climate Financing Goal to $100 Billion

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced to increase its climate financing goals 2019-2030 for developing member countries (DMCs) by $20 billion to $100 billion. 

Prior to this, ADB had announced $80 billion goal for climate financing in 2018 for developing countries in Asia during 2019-2030. 

Additional $20 billion in financing support will be used for climate mitigation efforts including low-carbon energy sources, etc. 

HQs of ADB: Mandaluyong, Philippines

Meghalaya govt launches Special Postal Covers

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma has launched Special Postal Covers of Pa Togan N. Sangma and Citrus Indica (Memang Narang) at Williamnagar.

It was launched to mark the 75th Year of Independence which is being observed as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

It is a befitting tribute of the heroic legendary freedom fighter from the Garo Hills. 

Meghalaya will come up with a special financial support to create infrastructure to be dedicated in memory of Pa Togan Sangma at Chisolbibra. 

Chairman of IFFCO Balvinder Singh Nakai passes away

Chairman of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), Sardar Balvinder Singh Nakai (87 years) passed away.

He was appointed as the new Chairman of IFFCO in May 2019.

He was an eminent farmer cooperator and was deeply involved in providing strength to Indian cooperative movement for the last three decades. 

IFFCO: multi-state cooperative society engaged in the business of manufacturing and marketing of fertilisers.

Headquarters of IFFCO: New Delhi.

Delhi to soon have driving licenses with QR codes

Delhi Transport Dept will soon issue QR based Smart cards for driving licenses (DLs) and registration certificates (RCs) for digitization the DL system. 

New driving license will have an advanced microchip with features like QR code and Near Field Communication. 

It will have owner's name on the front while microchip and QR will be embedded at the back of the card. 

It will also enable unification in linking and validating information to smart cards with Sarathi and Vahan. 

World Standards Day: 14 October

World Standards Day (WSD) is observed globally on 14th October annually to raise awareness about the importance of standardization to the global economy among the consumers, regulators and industry.

WSD 2021 theme: Standards for sustainable development goals – shared vision for a better world.

It is also known as International Standards Day.

The day was established on October 14, 1946.

Amit Khare appointed as Advisor to PM Modi

Former Information & Broadcasting and Higher Education Secretary, Amit Khare has been appointed as the Advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for two years on contractual basis. 

He is a 1985-batch IAS officer from Bihar-Jharkhand cadre.

He is known for his instrumental role in shaping the National Education Policy 2020 and bringing key changes in the I&B ministry, particularly in digital media regulations.

International E-Waste Day: 14 October

International E-Waste Day (IEWD) is observed every year on 14 October every year to promote the correct disposal of e-waste throughout the world, increasing re-use, recovery and recycling rates.

Theme for 2021 IEWD: Consumer is the key to Circular Economy!

2021 is the 4th edition of the International E-Waste Day.

IEWD was developed in 2018 by WEEE Forum, an international association of e-waste collection schemes, with the support of its members.

India ranks 3rd in 2021 Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index

India has retained 3rd rank in 58th Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI) released by Ernst & Young. 

2021 RECAI ranked top 40 global markets of the world on attractiveness of their renewable energy investment and deployment opportunities. 

Top performer: US, followed by China. 

New PPA Index has been introduced in this edition of RECAI focuses on the attractiveness of renewable power procurement and ranks the growth potential of corporate PPA market. 

World’s first driverless-automated train launched in Germany

World’s first automated, driverless train has been unveiled in Hamburg, Germany and will begin carrying passengers from December 2021. 

Automated trains project is a joint venture between German rail company Deutsche Bahn and high-tech industrial group Siemens.

It is a part of 60 million euro ($70 million) ‘Digital Rail Germany’ modernisation plan which includes modernisation of Hamburg’s rapid urban rail system.

Capital of Germany: Berlin

Currency of Germany: Euro

Arun Kumar Mishra appointed EESL's chief executive officer

Arun Kumar Mishra has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL).

He is a veteran in the energy sector, with more than three decades of experience in NTPC and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd.

EESL is a joint venture between NTPC Ltd, Power Finance Corporation, REC and PowerGrid, was set up under the power ministry to facilitate the implementation of energy efficiency projects.

Headquarters of EESL: New Delhi. 

Govt accorded ‘Maharatna’ status to PFC

Govt has accorded ‘Maharatna’ status to the state-owned Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC), thus giving PFC greater operational and financial autonomy by Dept of Public Enterprises. 

It will enable PFC to offer competitive financing for power sector, which will go a long way in making available affordable & reliable ‘Power For All 24x7’.

PFC was incorporated in 1986 and is the largest Infrastructure Finance Company under the administrative control of Ministry of Power.

PM launches National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity 'GatiShakti'

PM Modi has inaugurated Rs 100 lakh crore PM Gati Shakti-National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity from Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. 

Under this, centralized portal will be set up to bring together infrastructure schemes of around 16 Ministries & State Governments on a common platform.

It is based on six pillars:

Comprehensiveness

Prioritization

Optimization

Synchronization

Analytical

Dynamic

PM Modi also inaugurated new exhibition complexes of ITPO.

PM Narendra Modi to be awarded prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023

The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) would confer the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on August 1, 2023.

Reason: This award recognizes PM Modi's supreme leadership under which India has climbed the ladder of progress

It is presented annually on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak's death anniversary.

Other awardees: Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Manmohan Singh. 

J&K Bank wins award for Best Performance in CASA

Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been felicitated for the Best Performance in CASA-India (1st Runner up in Small Bank Category) at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2022.

The event was participated by banks from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar.

The function was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Goa.

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group headquartered in Calcutta.

India poised to become world’s 2nd-largest economy by 2075: Goldman Sachs

According to the Investment Bank Goldman Sachs, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.

As per the report, India would cross Japan, Germany, and the US With a population of 1.4 billion people.

India’s GDP is estimated to expand remarkably, reaching 52.5 trillion dollars surpassing the US GDP projection.

The labour force participation set to make India the second-largest economy in the world by 2075.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy. 

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.